As South Africa continues to navigate its energy landscape, many households are looking for smarter ways to manage their electricity usage and spending. While load shedding has eased in 2025, it’s still part of everyday life, sometimes with little warning.
For homeowners and tenants alike, prepaid electricity meters offer a practical solution for keeping control of energy costs. But can prepaid meters really help you budget during load shedding? Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Prepaid Electricity in South Africa
Prepaid electricity meters allow consumers to pay for their electricity upfront, much like topping up airtime on a mobile phone. Once you’ve purchased a prepaid token, the units are loaded onto your meter, giving you immediate access to the electricity you’ve paid for, no monthly bills, no estimates, and no surprises.
For many South Africans, this system provides greater control over household expenses. Instead of receiving a bill at the end of the month, you can manage your energy consumption in real-time, choosing when and how much electricity to buy based on your budget.
👉 Related Read: Prepaid Electricity Meters in South Africa – 2025 Guide
The Current State of Load Shedding in 2025
While 2025 has brought significant improvements in Eskom’s ability to manage the national grid, load shedding still occurs, just less frequently than in previous years. Energy consumers have enjoyed more stable power supplies, but occasional blackouts remain a reality, especially during high-demand periods or unplanned outages.
Adding to the financial pressure, Eskom was recently granted a 12.74% tariff increase, approved by NERSA, which comes into effect in April 2025. This hike means electricity costs more now than it did last year, placing additional strain on household budgets.
For homeowners and tenants who are trying to stretch every rand, prepaid meters offer a practical tool to stay ahead of these rising costs, especially when load shedding disrupts normal usage patterns.
How Prepaid Meters Can Help You Budget During Load Shedding
1. Pay Only for What You Use
Prepaid electricity puts you in control of your spending. If load shedding reduces your electricity usage, you end up buying fewer units, unlike postpaid systems where minimum charges or estimates may still apply.
For example, if you typically consume 500 kWh per month but use less because of load shedding, you only need to purchase what you’ll use. This pay-as-you-go model allows you to directly benefit from reduced consumption.
2. Track and Monitor Usage in Real Time
With a prepaid meter, you can track your electricity usage daily or weekly, adjusting habits to fit your budget. If you know that load shedding is scheduled during peak times, you can plan to use less power during the available hours, helping you avoid unnecessary spending.
Many prepaid meters display the remaining units clearly, so you can make informed decisions about which appliances to run and when.
3. Avoid Surprise Bills
There’s nothing worse than a hefty utility bill that catches you off guard. Prepaid meters eliminate this risk. Since you’re buying units upfront, there are no end-of-month surprises, even if load shedding has altered your regular consumption.
This makes budgeting more predictable, as you can allocate a specific amount of money each week or month for electricity, with full control over how and when it’s used.
4. Flexibility in Purchasing
Whether you prefer buying electricity in small increments or topping up with larger amounts when cash flow allows, prepaid meters offer flexibility. This is particularly helpful if you’re managing your expenses around load-shedding schedules or payday cycles.
Online platforms and mobile apps make purchasing tokens convenient, allowing you to top up anytime, even during a blackout (so long as you have mobile data).
5. Encourage Smarter Energy Habits
Load shedding often forces households to rethink how they use energy. Prepaid meters complement this by providing immediate feedback on consumption. Many users become more conscious of turning off lights, unplugging appliances, or using energy-efficient devices, habits that can translate to long-term savings.
Practical Tips for Prepaid Electricity Users During Load Shedding
✔️ Top-Up Before Scheduled Load Shedding
Always check your balance and top up before load shedding begins. If power is restored late at night, you’ll want to avoid being stuck without units when it returns.
✔️ Monitor Token Expiry
Some prepaid meters have a time limit on how long a token remains valid after purchase. Be sure to load your token soon after buying it to avoid any issues.
✔️ Understand Tariff Structures
Many municipalities use time-of-use tariffs, where electricity costs more during peak hours. Load shedding may force you to shift consumption into these higher-rate periods, so plan your energy use accordingly.
Common Myths About Prepaid Electricity and Load Shedding
🔸 Myth: Prepaid meters are useless during load shedding.
✅ Fact: Prepaid meters give you budgeting control before, during, and after load shedding. While no meter will supply electricity when the grid is off, prepaid ensures you can manage costs when the power is on.
🔸 Myth: Unused prepaid electricity is lost during load shedding.
✅ Fact: Any remaining units stay safely stored on your meter, unaffected by outages.
🔸 Myth: Prepaid is more expensive during load shedding.
✅ Fact: While tariffs are set by municipalities, prepaid allows you to manage consumption better, often leading to lower total expenses.
Who Benefits the Most from Prepaid Meters During Load Shedding?
- Homeowners: Gain control over household budgets and avoid large, unpredictable bills.
- Tenants: Only pay for what they use, with no risk of being overcharged or splitting bills.
- Landlords: Simplified utility management, as tenants are responsible for their own electricity purchases.
👉 Learn more about landlord benefits in The Hidden Benefits of Prepaid Electricity Meters for Landlords.
FAQs
Does load-shedding affect my prepaid meter balance?
No. Your balance remains intact during outages. You resume consumption when the power is restored.
Can I buy prepaid tokens during load-shedding?
Yes! Most online platforms and mobile apps are accessible 24/7, provided you have internet access.
Is prepaid electricity cheaper during load-shedding?
While unit prices remain the same, prepaid meters offer better control and insight, helping you reduce unnecessary consumption and potentially lower your overall energy spend.
Conclusion
In 2025, prepaid electricity meters will be more than a convenient payment option; they’re a valuable tool for managing your household energy budget, especially during load shedding. By giving you control over how much you spend and use, prepaid systems help homeowners and tenants weather rising electricity costs with greater confidence.
Pro Tip 💡
Set a weekly electricity budget and monitor your usage closely during load-shedding stages. This will help you avoid last-minute top-ups and stretch your electricity rands further.
👉 Ready to take control of your energy usage? Contact JKNV Energy today for reliable prepaid meter installations and support!
